In v. 1 “pelf” is a thief. The alt. words in the rev. ed. solve the linguistic problem.

In v. 3 “tide” is an opportunity. “Bummy” in the preceding line is changed, but not “tide.”

The alt. words in v. 3 (v. 2 in the rev. ed.) eliminate the anti-Arab remarks, one of the few examples of such sensibilities in this music genre.

Lyrics:

The Pyramids of Egypt have occasioned lots of talk
because no one can say who put them there.
Sampson’s hand, ’tis said, was in it, but it wasn’t for a minute,
he had troubles of his own elsewhere.
I’ll tell you how it came about, but don’t allow the truth to out,
or else I might be thought a pelf [alt.:Five thousand years the truth I’ve hid]
On a winter’s night in June when the sun obscured the moon,
I stole out there and put them up myself [alt.:I did].

CHORUS:
I’m the kid that built the Pyramid, I’m the kid, (he’s the kid.)
And I am sure it is about the greatest thing I ever did (He ever did,)
I put it up in just a single night, with the stars above my only light,
I’m the kid that built the pyramid (He’s the kid,) I’m the kid.

I built the Sphynx and put her on her throne
out in the desert and I caused the River Nile to flow,
Forty thousand barrels, to a dot, of sweat I lost,
it was so hot, aworking on that old scarecrow.
And now, my perspiration travels over all creation,
for the River Nile is it, you see,
If you’re asked who built the ark, don’t say me, I ain’t that mark,
but credit just the Pyramid to me.

I built the tower of Babel and it was a “bummy” [alt.: dizzy] job,
but then I had a “tide” abroad that day.
I constructed it lopsided, which the Natives much derided
and with jeers they drove me far away.
My courage nigh forsook me when that gang of Arabs shook me
in the desert, wasn’t that a plight?
[Alt.: They tickled my anatomy with sticks and stones that tortured me;
Oh, I was in an awful plight;]
But an inspiration came, to perpetuate my name,
I raised the mighty Pyramids that night.

I built the Rocky Mountains and I placed them where they are;
But that, of course, was not so hard to do
When compared to pyramidding–honest, people, I’m not kidding,
I make mountains out of mole hills, too.

‘Most ev’ry night I paint a town; I turn the whole works upside down,
‘Twas I who painted Paris green.
I build castles in the air and I travel ev’rywhere
Aboard a dream ship I have never seen.

CHORUS:
I’m the kid that built the Pyramid, I’m the kid (he’s the kid).
And I’m sure it was about the greatest thing I ever did (He ever did).
I put them up to demonstrate my worth
That I’m the greatest kid on earth;
I’m the kid that built the Pyramid (He’s the kid), I’m the kid.

I crossed the great Sahara back in fourteen ninety-two
Aboard a ship, the Camel of the Sand,
Several weeks of constant travel over rocks and sand and gravel
Without a drink is hard to understand.
Of course a camel ought to do without a drink for weeks, but who
Would be a camel, I inquire?
Now the scenery was wet–lots of moonshine, don’t forget;
‘Twas not the kind of “moon” that I admire.

CHORUS:
I’m the kid who built the Pyramid, I’m the kid (he’s the kid),
And I’m sure it was about the greatest thing I ever did (He ever did),
I put them up to please those Pharaoh guys,
Who said I needed exercise;
I’m the kid that built the Pyramid (He’s the kid), I’m the kid.

I turn the stars on ev’ry night and turn them off each morn;
I sometimes paint a rainbow in the sky;
Now and then I take a notion to paint pictures on the ocean
Of the Milky Way away up high.
The old Blue Ridge I painted blue, the Yellow Sea I painted, too;
I love to paint the things that ain’t;
When I painted Greenland green, all the icebergs in between
I painted till my brush ran out of paint.

CHORUS:
I’m the kid that built the Pyramid, I’m the kid (He’s the kid),
And I am sure it was about the greatest thing I ever did (He ever did).
I built the Sphinx and stuck her up one night,
And ever since she’s sitting tight;
I’m the kid that built the Pyramid (He’s the kid), I’m the kid.